You will be working on the CoreSAEP project (Computational Reasoning for Socially Adaptive Electronic Partners), an 800K personal grant (Vidi) for Dr. M. Birna van Riemsdijk, funded by NWO.
The goal of the project is to develop techniques for creating software that understands norms and values of people, which we call Socially Adaptive Computing. Through development of formal models we lay the foundations for intelligent supportive technology that can take into account social relations and human values, for example privacy, freedom and safety, when taking decisions on our behalf. Decisions may concern, e.g., which data to share with whom or who to contact if help is needed. This becomes more and more important with the rise of AI and Data Science and the increasing pervasiveness of intelligent technology in our daily lives.
Socially Adaptive Computing is challenging because the software needs to be able to adapt to diverse and evolving rules of behaviour of people in unforeseen circumstances. Formal models and reasoning techniques will be developed to ensure reliability (guarantees on the behaviour of the software) and resilience (flexibility in unforeseen circumstances).
We will use concrete application scenarios to guide and inform development of the theory. Specifically, we focus on behaviour support for vulnerable citizens such as dementia patients, visually or mentally impaired people, and children. Their vulnerability, in combination with the need for involvement of their network of family, friends and caregivers in providing effective support makes it especially important that supportive technology understands people's norms and values.
More information on the project and the team you will be working in can be found at ii.tudelft.nl/~birna/projects/CoreSAEP.html.

The applicant has a PhD degree in computer science or artificial intelligence and a good command of the English language. We are looking for candidates with expertise in formal methods, knowledge representation and reasoning, or related areas. We invite applications across the spectrum from fundamental to more applied. Some expertise in or affinity with ethics of information technology is useful. We seek candidates who have an open mind and who are inspired by the opportunity to contribute to shaping the digital society of the future.

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.


For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Birna van Riemsdijk, phone: +31 (0)15-2786331, e-mail:
m.b.vanriemsdijk@tudelft.nl. To apply, please submit the following materials:
(1) Curriculum Vitae (with publications if you have any).
(2) Course lists with grades and degree certificates
(3) A letter of application in which you explain both your motivation and the relevance of your skills and experience for this research project. The motivational letter should be on-topic; generic letters will cause your application to be rejected immediately.
(4) A list of 3 (academic) references that we can contact
(5) A copy of your PhD thesis (or a draft thereof) and a detailed list of your publications.
Please e-mail your materials to E.C.L. Turlings, Hr-eemcs@tudelft.nl. Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled. The first round of interviews will be conducted based on applications received before June 25th 2017.
When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number EWI2017.16

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology (the TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. The TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At the TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. The TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science

The Department of Intelligent Systems (INSY) conceptualises computer science methodologies to sense, abstract, learn, reason, elicit and adapt data and their meaning in ways that respect human values in order to increase human effectiveness, well-being and social innovation. At the heart of the department is therefore its research and teaching in computer science theory, algorithms and solutions for information processing systems that support humans (e.g. robotics), new products (e.g. Internet services), and science (e.g. biology).

The Interactive Intelligence group focuses on the interaction of users with intelligent systems. In particular, we have a strong track record in the development of smart, interactive agents. These agents possess capabilities such as learning, reasoning, social skills, emotions, and norms and can interact with humans. The agents typically function as coach, artificial actor, or companion, and are used in a wide variety of applications including therapy, health and entertainment.